Abstract: The present invention provides a dry mix composition of a low-viscosity cellulose ether (50 to 750 mPa·s at 1 wt. % solids, at 20 C, and a 514 s-1 shear rate, using a strain-controlled rotational rheometer (for example, ARES-G2™, TA Instruments), a graded aggregate, and a hydraulic cement, or a granular wet cement composition of the cement, graded aggregate and an admixture therefor including the cellulose ether. The wet granular hydraulic cement composition behaves like asphalt compositions and has zero or near zero slump, a high lubricity and from 5 wt. % to less than 13 wt. % of water, or, preferably from greater than 5 to 10.5 wt. %, based on the total weight of the granular wet cement composition. The low-viscosity cellulose ether enables lubricity without impairing compaction and without causing air entrainment.

Abstract: Provided is a process for reducing the size of ethylcellulose polymer particles comprising (a) providing a slurry comprising (i) water (ii) said ethylcellulose particles, wherein said ethylcellulose polymer particles have D50 of 100 ?m or less; (iii) surfactant comprising 1.2% or more anionic surfactants by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, with the proviso that if the amount of anionic surfactant is 2.5% or less by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, then said surfactant further comprises 5% or more stabilizers by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, wherein said stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of water-soluble polymers, water-soluble fatty alcohols, and mixtures thereof. (b) grinding said slurry in an agitated media mill having a collection of media particles having a median particle size of 550 ?m or smaller. Also provided is a dispersion made by such a process.

Abstract: The present invention provides strategies for improved control of fluid loss, hydration, settling, and separation of aqueous cementing compositions over a wide temperature and time range. The present invention is based at least in part upon water-effusing particles used as additives for the compositions, wherein the particles are activated to control rheology when water soluble portions of the particles are released in the presence of water.

Abstract: A process for preparing cellulose ether includes (a) alkylation and etherification of cellulose to form an initial cellulose ether, (b) washing and filtering of the initial cellulose ether; (c) optionally granulating the cellulose ether; (d) compounding the cellulose ether to form a dough; (e) optionally disposing the cellulose ether into a buffer tank; and (f) drying the cellulose ether dough to obtain a final cellulose ether with a lower viscosity than the initial cellulose ether; where the process is characterized by introducing an aqueous catalyst and a peroxy-containing oxidizer to the cellulose ether during at least one of steps (c)-(f), introducing an aqueous enhancer during at least one of steps (c)-(e) and wherein the process is free of drying an isolating cellulose ether after (a) and before drying the final cellulose ether.

Abstract: An edible composition comprising starch and cellulose ether particles, wherein at least 10 volume percent of the cellulose ether particles have a particle length LEFI of less than 40 micrometers, is useful for preparing a batter by mixing the edible composition with water. The batter is contacted with a food to prepare a battered food. The battered foods have a reduced oil and/or fat uptake when fried, as compared to fried non-battered food.

Abstract: An edible composition comprising starch and cellulose ether particles, wherein the cellulose ether particles have a median Equivalent Projected Circle Diameter (EQPC 50,3) of up to 110 micrometers and a Crystallinity Index, CI, of not more than 0.43, wherein CI=(I200?1am)/I200> where I200 is the intensity of the highest peak in the X-ray diffraction spectral pattern of the cellulose ether particles and Iam is the intensity of the valley between the highest peak I200 and the higher of the one or two peaks adjacent to the highest peak, is useful for preparing battered foods of reduced oil and/or fat uptake when fried.

Abstract: An edible composition comprising starch and cellulose ether particles, wherein the cellulose ether particles have a ratio M3.0/M2.0 of not more than 200 micrometers, wherein M3.0 is the number volume mean and M2.0 is the number surface area mean of the cellulose ether particles, and/or wherein the cellulose ether particles have a volume fraction of fibrous particles of no more than 40%, is useful for preparing a batter by mixing the edible composition with water. The batter is contacted with a food to prepare a battered food. The battered foods have a reduced oil and/or fat uptake when fried, as compared to fried non-battered food.

Abstract: Provided is a process for reducing the size of ethylcellulose polymer particles comprising (a) providing a slurry comprising (i) water (ii) said ethylcellulose particles, wherein said ethylcellulose polymer particles have D50 of 100 ?m or less; (iii) surfactant comprising 1.2% or more anionic surfactants by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, with the proviso that if the amount of anionic surfactant is 2.5% or less by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, then said surfactant further comprises 5% or more stabilizers by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, wherein said stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of water-soluble polymers, water-soluble fatty alcohols, and mixtures thereof. (b) grinding said slurry in an agitated media mill having a collection of media particles having a median particle size of 550 ?m or smaller. Also provided is a dispersion made by such a process.

Abstract: A mixture of a cellulose derivative and a liquid diluent is prepared which comprises at least 5 weight percent of the cellulose derivative, based on the total weight of the cellulose derivative and the liquid diluent. The mixing operating causes air to be entrapped in the mixture. The time for at least partially removing entrapped air is reduced by providing a cellulose derivative having a specific surface area of less than 0.20 m2/g measured by BET method for preparing the mixture.

Abstract: A method of reducing oil and/or fat uptake of a fried food comprises the steps of: A) contacting food i) with a batter comprising starch and a cellulose ether or ii) with a breading composition comprising a cellulose ether or iii) first with a batter comprising starch and then with a breading composition comprising a cellulose ether, B) contacting the battered or breaded food obtained in step A) with an aqueous liquid being different from the batter and breading composition in step A), C) optionally freezing the battered or breaded food obtained in step B), and D) frying the battered or breaded food obtained in step B) or C).

Abstract: A mixture of a cellulose derivative and a liquid diluent is prepared which comprises at least 5 weight percent of the cellulose derivative, based on the total weight of the cellulose derivative and the liquid diluent. The mixing operating causes air to be entrapped in the mixture. The time for at least partially removing entrapped air is reduced by providing a cellulose derivative having a specific surface area of less than 0.20 m2/g measured by BET method for preparing the mixture.

Abstract: The palatability of a non-starch water-soluble polysaccharide (A) can be improved by at least partially coating the non-starch water-soluble polysaccharide (A) with a methylcellulose (B) having anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups, with the proviso that the non-starch water-soluble polysaccharide (A) is different from said methylcellulose (B).

Abstract: An edible composition comprising starch and cellulose ether particles, wherein the cellulose ether particles have a median Equivalent Projected Circle Diameter (EQPC 50,3) of up to 110 micrometers and a Crystallinity Index, CI, of not more than 0.43, wherein CI=(I200?Iam)/I200> where I200 is the intensity of the highest peak in the X-ray diffraction spectral pattern of the cellulose ether particles and Iam is the intensity of the valley between the highest peak I200 and the higher of the one or two peaks adjacent to the highest peak, is useful for preparing battered foods of reduced oil and/or fat uptake when fried.

Abstract: An edible composition comprising starch and cellulose ether particles, wherein at least 10 volume percent of the cellulose ether particles have a particle length LEFI of less than 40 micrometers, is useful for preparing a batter by mixing the edible composition with water. The batter is contacted with a food to prepare a battered food. The battered foods have a reduced oil and/or fat uptake when fried, as compared to fried non-battered food.

Abstract: An edible composition comprising starch and cellulose ether particles, wherein the cellulose ether particles have a ratio M3.0/M2.0 of not more than 200 micrometers, wherein M3.0 is the number volume mean and M2.0 is the number surface area mean of the cellulose ether particles, and/or wherein the cellulose ether particles have a volume fraction of fibrous particles of no more than 40%, is useful for preparing a batter by mixing the edible composition with water. The batter is contacted with a food to prepare a battered food. The battered foods have a reduced oil and/or fat uptake when fried, as compared to fried non-battered food.

Abstract: The present invention provides strategies for improved control of fluid loss, hydration, settling, and separation of aqueous cementing compositions over a wide temperature and time range. The present invention is based at least in part upon water-effusing particles used as additives for the compositions, wherein the particles are activated to control rheology when water soluble portions of the particles are released in the presence of water.

Abstract: Polysaccharide derivatives having a median Equivalent Projected Circle Diameter (EQPC) of less than 140 micrometers and a particle size and shape distribution meeting condition A or B or both are useful for preparing dosage forms, particularly for preparing compressed sustained-release dosage forms: A. non-compacted polysaccharide derivative particles have a flowability of at least 45 g/sec through a vertically inverted cone having a vertex angle of about 40 and an outlet diameter of about 50 mm, or B. i) no more than 40 volume percent of the polysaccharide derivative particles are fine particles having a particle length LEFI of less than 40 micrometers and ii) no more than 40 volume percent of the polysaccharide derivative particles are fibrous particles, and the sum of the fine particles and the fibrous particles does not exceed 50 volume percent.

Abstract: Modifying agents, e.g., a poly(sulfonyl) azide, are attached to a substrate surface, e.g., the surface of a polyolefin particle, by a process comprising the steps of: A. Contacting in an open contact zone and under a flow of inert gas a substrate with a modifying agent, binding agent, e.g., a phenolic-based antioxidant, and a liquid mixing agent, e.g., methylene chloride, to form a substrate mixture; B. Closing the contact zone and stopping the flow of inert gas to the contact zone; C. Agitating the substrate mixture under the inert gas in the closed contact zone to commence evaporation of the liquid mixing agent; D. Reducing the temperature and pressure of the closed contact zone while continuing to agitate the substrate mixture; and E. Completing the substantial evaporation of the mixing agent from the substrate mixture by opening the contact zone and initiating an inert gas flow while continuing agitation of the substrate mixture and maintaining a reduced pressure.

Abstract: Polysaccharide derivatives having a median Equivalent Projected Circle Diameter (EQPC) of less than 140 micrometers and a particle size and shape distribution meeting condition A or B or both are useful for preparing dosage forms, particularly for preparing compressed sustained-release dosage forms: A. non-compacted polysaccharide derivative particles have a flowability of at least 45 g/sec through a vertically inverted cone having a vertex angle of about 40 and an outlet diameter of about 50 mm, or B. i) no more than 40 volume percent of the polysaccharide derivative particles are fine particles having a particle length LEFI of less than 40 micrometers and ii) no more than 40 volume percent of the polysaccharide derivative particles are fibrous particles, and the sum of the fine particles and the fibrous particles does not exceed 50 volume percent.

Abstract: Modifying agents, e.g., a poly(sulfonyl) azide, are attached to a substrate surface, e.g., the surface of a polyolefin particle, by a process comprising the steps of: A. Contacting in an open contact zone and under a flow of inert gas a substrate with a modifying agent, binding agent, e.g., a phenolic-based antioxidant, and a liquid mixing agent, e.g., methylene chloride, to form a substrate mixture; B. Closing the contact zone and stopping the flow of inert gas to the contact zone; C. Agitating the substrate mixture under the inert gas in the closed contact zone to commence evaporation of the liquid mixing agent; D. Reducing the temperature and pressure of the closed contact zone while continuing to agitate the substrate mixture; and E. Completing the substantial evaporation of the mixing agent from the substrate mixture by opening the contact zone and initiating an inert gas flow while continuing agitation of the substrate mixture and maintaining a reduced pressure.